Anderson signs with Winnipeg Blue Bombers

The Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. native will begin his first professional job in Canada this upcoming week. Anderson signed a two-year contract Thursday with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League.

"I'm excited to have a chance to play pro ball," said Anderson, who is spending the Memorial Day weekend in the Sault before departing for Winnipeg. "Winnipeg was a team that was interested in me and in contact with my agent before the NFL draft. They let me go through the draft process, but they were a team that wanted me all along."

Anderson's signing with the Blue Bombers capped his six-month journey towards a pro football career following four years of playing at Northern Michigan University. Since December, he has tried to showcase his skills to the pros by playing in a college all-star game, attending a regional combine in Cleveland, and a super regional combine in Arlington, Texas. He went to rookie camp with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent earlier this month.

"It's been a long process," Anderson said. "Coming from a Division 2 program, I've had to prove myself to get a look. I just want a chance, and I'm happy that Winnipeg is giving me that chance."

While he has lived close to Canada his whole life, Anderson will still be considered an "import" player for the Bombers. CFL teams are allowed 19 imports (non-Canadians) on their rosters.

"At least I already have a head start on my Canadian accent," Anderson said.

Anderson only has a couple days before jumping right into a rookie camp this week, followed by the start of the full training camp on June 2. The first pre-season game is June 12 and an 18-game season starts on June 27.

Anderson, approximately 6-foot-2, 270 pounds, was a three-time All-GLIAC player at NMU. He received All-GLIAC First Team honors as a senior and registered 71 tackles, including 10 for losses, one sack and one interception.

"They (Winnipeg) see me as a tweener — a defensive end/defensive tackle," Anderson said. "It looks like I'll play mostly defensive end, which is what I like. The CFL is a defensive end's dream. With three downs and wide opening passing games, I'll have a lot of chances to rush the quarterback."

Anderson, a 2008 Sault High graduate, was an All-U.P. Dream Team defensive end as a senior and helped the Blue Devils win their first playoff game in school history that season.

Northern Michigan University has some past tradition with sending players to the CFL. Bobby Jurasin of Bessemer played 13 seasons in the CFL, 12 with the Saskatchewan Rough Riders and is a member of the CFL Hall of Fame. Chuck Klingbiel of Houghton played with Saskatchewan and was defensive MVP on the Rough Riders 1989 Grey Cup winning team. He went on to be a five-year starter with the Miami Dolphins.

"I've talked with Mr. Jurasin a few times about pro football, and lived right next door to his son in Marquette," Anderson said. "I'll probably be calling him. He was like an open book while I was at NMU, and always willing to answer questions."